Dear ICANN:We, the undersigned
organization and/or individual, express our support for the DotOrg Foundation's proposal
to operate, improve and grow the .org registry for the benefit of its worldwide noncommercial
registrants.
We understand that the DotOrg Foundation, a new, international nonprofit
entity, has developed an innovative approach to improving the capacity of nonprofit
and non-commercial organizations around the world to communicate and become more
active and effective via the Internet. The Foundation will implement new validation
systems to enhance the level of confidence all Internet users have when visiting
a .org, nonprofit or non-commercial website. Further, the DotOrg Foundation
will seek to support Internet-related developmental activities of non-commercial
organizations through added services.
We support this new registry proposed by
the DotOrg Foundation that will:
* Ensure the continued smooth and efficient operation
of the .org Internet registration service
* Expand the involvement of those who
use the .org Internet "space" in the shaping of policies affecting the registration
service, and
* Develop new initiatives that will strengthen the .org Internet
space and enhance the Internet as a tool to build civil society around the world.
We are further encouraged the by DotOrg Foundation's priorities:
* Independent,
Focused Mission. The DotOrg Foundation is the only application entity
whose sole mission is to provide its services for the benefit of the .org community.
* Diverse, Experienced International Board. The DotOrg Foundation
is made up of a seven internationally acclaimed Board of Directors, and provides
for up to eight additional seats that will be elected by the Board and .org constituencies.
* Public-Private Partnership. The DotOrg Foundation will work as
an independent public entity to establish overall policies to the benefit of the
entire .org community, while partnering with private industry in order to provide
the best-of-class technologies and associated services.
* Best-of-Class
Partners to Preserve Stability. RegistryAdvantage, a subsidiary of Register.com,
offers a proven track record in operating one of the world's largest registrars and
various country-code TLD registries. Kintera, Inc., a leading Application Service
Provider (ASP) for the noncommercial sector, provides value-added services that are
currently being used by large multi-national noncommercial organizations down to
the small independent noncommercial representatives.
* Differentiate, Enhance
Registry Services. The DotOrg Foundation is researching and obtaining sector
feedback to enable new value-add services that will help transition traditional noncommercial
practices into the online arena.
Respectfully,
DR. EDWARD E. DAVID, JR.